Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Practice Exam

Who was the first leader of the American Railway Union?

1. Eugene V. Debs

2. Samuel Gompers

3. Mary E. Kenney

4. John L. Lewis

The correct answer is: Eugene V. Debs

Eugene V. Debs was the first leader of the American Railway Union, an important organization in the labor movement of the late 19th century. Founded in 1893, the union sought to unite all railway laborers to collectively bargain for better wages, working conditions, and hours. Debs played a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of workers and was known for his commitment to socialism and workers' rights. His leadership was instrumental in establishing the union as a significant force during the Pullman Strike of 1894, which highlighted the struggles between labor and management during that era. This context solidifies Debs’s importance as a labor leader and as a major historical figure in the development of union organization in the United States. The other individuals listed were influential figures in labor history, but they were associated with different organizations and movements, each contributing in their own ways rather than leading the American Railway Union.